The Volume of Programming on FOX Sports this March is…well… Madness!
March is the first of two months when the NBA, NHL, MLB, ACC and SEC are all in
action and the FOX Sports Regional Networks across the South will televise a live event and/or new original program each and every day.
The Atlanta Braves reported to Spring Training in February and have started playing ball. Our production team relocated to Lake Buena Vista, Fla. to capture exclusive interJeff Genthner views and insights from the players and coaches, and you can see it all during the AtlanSenior Vice President, ta Braves 2014 Season Preview show. The show will air throughout the month of March, General Manager leading up to the season opener on March 31st. And beginning March 13th, FOX Sports South and SportSouth will televise six Braves preseason exhibition games (see the schedule on page 3). While March signals the start of the MLB season, it also means every game counts in the NBA and NHL as teams fight to secure playoff berths. The FOX Sports Regional networks across the South will combine to televise 99 games featuring the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators (availability of games are subject to territorial restrictions). And the battle for playoff spots isn’t just in the pro leagues: the SEC and ACC men and women are competing for postseason tournament berths.
Shea Weber Nashville Predators
Lou Williams Atlanta Hawks
The third season of The Panel returns later this month, as pro football veterans test the readiness of five top college players prior to the 2014 NFL Draft. This year’s “panelists” include Tim Couch, Greg Olsen, Julian Peterson and Takeo Spikes, and the NFL prospects scheduled to be on the hot seat include Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and wide receiver Sammy Watkins, LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger, UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, and Michigan State defensive back Darqueze Denard (see air dates on page 5). Please sit back and enjoy a March filled with your favorite local teams. But beware, trying to decide which games and shows to watch just might be maddening. Billy Donovan Florida Men’s Basketball Head Coach
FOX Sports South Regional Networks Partnership Highlights During the month of March, the FOX Sports South Regional Networks sales team is focused on Atlanta Braves baseball and the end of the college basketball season. During the month, Nissan plans to own Spring Training in Atlanta and has signed on to be the presenting sponsor of Braves Spring Training games on FOX Sports South and SportSouth. Claritin has also come on board to reach sports fans in the Southeast, just in time for the start of allergy season. They will be featured during the final ACC and SEC basketball games of the 2013-14 season.
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Pro Partner Highlights Atlanta Dream Atlanta Dream forward Sancho Lyttle (right) was recently named 2013 FIBA Europe Women’s Player of the Year. The award was largely due to her performance in the EuroBasket Women’s Tournament last June, where she was the top player at the competition, leading all players in scoring, rebounds, steals and double-doubles.
Atlanta Hawks in February The Atlanta Hawks hosted their 14th Annual Casino Night presented by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort at Opera Nightclub. Guests played games against Hawks players and coaches and had the opportunity to bid on premium auction items. All proceeds benefitted the Atlanta Hawks Foundation. SportSouth Hawks reporter Andre Aldridge (below) and Hawks play-by-play voice Bob Rathbun (right) served as guest dealers for the event.
Charlotte Bobcats SportSouth Charlotte Bobcats sideline reporter Stephanie Ready hosted the sold-out 2014 Hoops and Heels event on February 8th at Time Warner Cable Arena. The ladies-only affair featured wine tastings, an interactive basketball presentation, and seats in a luxury suite to watch the Bobcats play the San Antonio Spurs. At the February 11th game, the Bobcats recognized six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson with an in-game presentation for their Blue Cross and Blue Shield Night. Stephanie Ready got an exclusive interview with Johnson where he discussed the Daytona 500 race that took place February 23rd on FOX.
Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators hosted Hockey & Heels Hockey 101 “Chalk Talk” at Bridgestone Arena on March 6th. This “Girls Night Out” event presented by Hermitage Lighting Gallery gave female hockey fans insight to the game and the opportunity to ask questions from rules and regulations to an inside scoop on traveling with the Predators.
Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies hosted their 2nd Annual Memphis Grizzlies Dribble Parade on Saturday, March 8th and a portion of all proceeds went to support Youth United Way of the Mid-South. Parade participants received a Grizzlies basketball, t-shirt and ticket to the Grizzlies vs. Bobcats game at FedExForum.
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Atlanta Braves Season On The Horizon The Atlanta Braves have been in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. since February 13th to prepare for the 2014 season. FOX Sports South and SportSouth are slated to televise a combined 156 regular season games, including pregame and postgame coverage with Braves LIVE all season long. In addition to the 156-game regular-season package, FOX Sports South and SportSouth will televise six Spring Training games, beginning with the Braves at St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, March 13th at 1 p.m. ET on SportSouth.
Spring Training Schedule
Date Opponent Time Network 3/13 @ Cardinals 1 p.m. ET SPSO 3/21 vs. Tigers 1 p.m. ET SPSO 3/22 vs. Red Sox 1 p.m. ET SPSO 3/23 vs. Mets 1 p.m. ET FSSO 3/24 vs. Astros 6 p.m. ET FSSO 3/27 @ Tigers 1 p.m. ET SPSO
The Braves open the regular season on SportSouth at the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, March 31st. Coverage begins with a special one-hour Braves LIVE pregame show at 1 p.m. ET. Also on SportSouth, coverage of the Braves home opener against the New York Mets on Tuesday, April 8th will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET with a special one-hour Braves LIVE pregame show and will include complete coverage of the celebration honoring the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron’s 715th home run. Play-by-play announcer Chip Caray and analyst Joe Simpson will partner for their fifth season in the FOX Sports broadcast booth. Caray enters his 11th season calling Braves games, while Simpson returns for his 23rd. Braves legend Tom Glavine will join Caray and Simpson as a guest analyst in the booth for select broadcasts.
Chip Caray, Tom Glavine and Joe Simpson return to the FOX Sports booth for the 2014 Atlanta Braves season.
Atlanta Braves 2014 Season Preview Our Atlanta Braves 2014 Season Preview with Caray, Simpson and Braves LIVE analyst Paul Byrd is airing throughout March on both FOX Sports South and SportSouth; please check your local listings for subsequent airings.
Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman takes batting practice for the FOX Sports South cameras.
Chip Caray and Joe Simpson film a segment for the Atlanta Braves 2014 Season Preview.
Braves outfielder Jason Heyward talks with FOX Sports South producers about the 2014 season.
DRIVEN Returns with Gattis, Kimbrel Episodes The FOX Sports South EMMY Award-winning original programming series DRIVEN will return this spring with two new episodes featuring Braves catcher Evan Gattis in April and closer Craig Kimbrel in May.
FOX Sports South interviews Evan Gattis at his home in Texas for his upcoming DRIVEN episode.
FOX Sports South films Craig Kimbrel at his high school for his upcoming DRIVEN episode.
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Around Town with the FOX Sports South Girls Spring Training to the Troops Morgan joined current MLB players and legends, including former Braves pitcher Chris Hammond, FOX broadcasters and other FOX Sports Girls for Spring Training for the Troops at Fort Bragg U.S. Army Installation in North Carolina. The four-day event included physical training with the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, a 34-foot tower jump, an Aero Medical Evacuation Simulator, a youth baseball clinic, and a wiffle ball tournament with participation from several service personnel. FOX Sports Salutes the Troops will debut on FOX Sports South on Sunday, March 16th at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Morgan poses with FOX Sports mascot Cleatus.
Morgan gets ready for a 34-foot tower jump.
Former Braves pitcher Chris Hammond shakes hands with military personnel during parachute packing.
NBA All-Star Weekend Morgan and Canicka joined the FOX Sports Southwest girls in New Orleans for NBA All-Star Weekend. They attended the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, the NBA All-Star Game and greeted fans at the NBA jam session throughout the weekend.
Morgan and Canicka attend the NBA Jam Session during All-Star Weekend.
FOX Sports Southwest Girls Kaime and Liddy with Morgan and Canicka during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Daytona 500 on FOX Morgan represented the FOX Sports South Girls at the Daytona 500. During the trip, she joined FOX Sports Girls from around the country at the FOX Sports Fan Experience, the Bash on the Beach, as well as The Great American Race.
(From L-R) FOX Sports Florida Girl Jordana, Morgan, FOX Sports Southwest Girl Liddy and FOX Sports North Girl Kaylin.
(From L-R) Morgan, FOX Sports Florida Girl Jordana, FOX Sports North Girl Kaylin and FOX Sports Southwest Girl Liddy.
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The South Represented at the 2014 NBA All-Star Game
Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap finished with six points and three rebounds for the victorious Eastern Conference squad during the 2014 NBA All-Star game.
SportSouth Atlanta Hawks analyst Dominique Wilkins (right) and teammates Chris Bosh and Swin Cash won the 2014 Sears Shooting Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Saturday night.
SportSouth Charlotte Bobcats analyst Dell Curry (middle) teamed with his son Stephen Curry for the Sears Shooting Stars Challenge.
The Panel Returns to FOX Sports South this March
Five original episodes of The Panel will air each night on FOX Sports South from Monday, March 24th through Friday, March 28th, with a recap of episodes on March 30th; please check local listings for complete episode times. Meet The Panelists Tim Couch - Former University of Kentucky All-American quarterback and first overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Greg Olsen - Current Carolina Panthers tight end and 2007 first round draft pick. Julian Peterson - Former NFL Pro Bowl linebacker and 2000 first round draft pick. Takeo Spikes - Former NFL All-Pro linebacker and 1998 first round draft pick.
The Panel
Date Prospect Time 3/24 Zach Mettenberger 5:30 p.m. ET/11 p.m. ET 3/25 Tajh Boyd 6 p.m. ET/11 p.m. ET 3/26 Sammy Watkins 6 p.m. ET/11 p.m. ET 3/27 Darqueze Denard 6 p.m. ET/11 p.m. ET 3/28 Anthony Barr 6 p.m. ET/11 p.m. ET 3/30 Zach Mettenberger 9:00 p.m. ET Tajh Boyd 9:30 p.m. ET Sammy Watkins 10:00 p.m. ET Darqueze Denard 10:30 p.m. ET
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